Front Page Headlines
Aradippou and Paphos are coronavirus hotspots
The pandemic’s first ‘X-ray’ in Cyprus with statistics. Local cases are on the rise, concerns about the spread of the virus. Twenty-five per cent of the confirmed cases concern health professionals.
- Paphos: Close down the hospital
- Instead of getting to work, he was handcuffed: “Three people held me down and handcuffed me” – Citizen reports police violence.
- Students demanding repatriation sue the state
We infect each other
Seventy-two per cent of the cases concern transmission through contacts. A never-ending war. Private doctors received a requisition letter but refused with letters from their lawyers.
- Closing the supermarkets on Sunday was a big mistake – In other countries, they extended the shop hours, we have restricted them. The lines reached the parking lots yesterday. More crowding is expected tomorrow.
- The crisis at the Evros border will be making a comeback
Plans for hospitals are non-existent
This is the last drop, with doctors strongly criticising state health services Okypy for non-existent plans for hospitals, absence of preparation and serious shortages. The absence of medical scientific perception is as dangerous as the coronavirus. Some, PASYKI (state doctors’ union) says, will be called to give explanations after the pandemic is over.
- No plans for TCs working in the free areas and whose workplaces have not closed down
- Special repatriation permits given… selectively! – Two students file court cases.
Covid-19 is ‘not going away soon’
Health minister says it will be a long haul as one more dies plus 36 new cases.
- ‘Cyprus produces enough to feed population’
Another dead and 36 new cases – Mortality is at three per cent
Deaths reached 10, eight of which are men and two are women. The average ages of those who died is 68. Confirmed cases reached σε 356. Epidemiological analysis: The median age of Covid-19 cases in Cyprus is 48,5 years and 53 per cent concerns men.
- National Guard: We have only eight cases; six commandos at Stavrovouni and two more at the headquarters
- Cyprus was the first to close airports and schools, the Europeans followed suit
Main News
AKEL: Anastasiades’ narrative on Cypriot tragedy is historically inaccurate
Alithia, Haravgi
Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/International Affairs
OVERVIEW
Haravgi reports that main opposition AKEL said President Nicos Anastasiades’ narrative (his statement on the April 1 anniversary) is historically inaccurate.
AKEL said that it is not the time in these difficult times for Anastasiades to reiterate his historically inaccurate narratives on the Cypriot tragedy, which are a provocation to historic memory.
“It is not the people of Cyprus or all of the powers of the island that were unable to serve their country but only those who acted as accessories to the betrayal of the country and provoked not “discord” as Anastasiades claims but the dissolution of the Republic and the partition of our homeland,” AKEL said in a statement.
The party also said that it would be naïve for anyone to think they can take advantage of the spirit of understanding exhibited by the political powers and the people due to the pandemic thinking their provocative references on the history of the country would go unanswered.
Alithia, in a comment, quotes China’s ambassador to Cyprus, Huang Xingyuan, who said in a tweet on April 1 that many lessons can be learned from the liberation struggle 1955-1959, that led to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. In times of crisis for the nation, the struggle of EOKA showed the way for endurance, determination, national dignity and honour, the ambassador said.
The paper said that Xingyuan’s tweet took them by surprise, commenting that lately, both the ambassador and his country are rocking the PR game.
KEY ACTORS
AKEL
>> Anastasiades’ narrative on the modern Cypriot history is historically inaccurate & and provokes historic memory.
>> Anastasiades should not blame the people of Cyprus or political parties in their entirety of inability to serve their country but only those who acted as accessories to the betrayal of the country & contributed to the dissolution of the Republic and the partition of the island.
>> Anyone thinking their provocative references on the history of the country would go unanswered because everyone now exhibits a spirit of cooperation due to the coronavirus crisis, is fooled.
Xingyuan (Chinese Ambassador to Nicosia)
>> The 1955-59 liberation struggle that led to the establishment of the RoC teaches many lessons that can also be used today in times of crisis as EOKA showed the way for endurance, determination, national dignity and honour.
US ambassador calls for more cooperation between two sides on coronavirus
Phileleftheros
CBMs, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that US Ambassador to Nicosia, Judith Garber, said she hopes to see more bicommunal collaboration between health care workers in the two communities.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Garber said she believes that the good people of Cyprus, with their ingrained spirit of generosity and their firm sense of solidarity across the generations, will weather this storm and emerge even stronger.
Asked if the pandemic provides an opportunity for more cooperation across Cyprus, Garber said she welcomes the expressed determination of President Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci to battle this virus together, as well as the efforts of the members of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, Phileleftheros reported.
“The health care professionals of Cyprus are outstanding and have all of our admiration and gratitude. If collaboration between health care workers in the two communities is strengthened, then that will be a fortunate and welcome development in this otherwise difficult situation, and a worthy example of what cooperation in a reunified Cyprus could be,” she said.
She also said that the US values its bilateral partnership with the Republic of Cyprus and looks forward to having further conversations with the government in Nicosia, as the two sides work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that the US is always looking for ways in which to strengthen cooperation, the daily reports.
KEY ACTORS
Garber (US Ambassador to Nicosia)
>> Would like to see more cooperation between the health workers of the two communities to tackle the coronavirus pandemic as an example of what cooperation in a reunified Cyprus could be.
>> Welcomes the expressed determination of the two leaders to battle this virus together, as well as the efforts of the members of the Technical Committee on Health.
>> The US values its bilateral partnership with the RoC & looks forward to having further conversations with Nicosia, as the two sides work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The US is always looking for ways to strengthen cooperation.
Monthly allowance to enclaved to be given in cash this month
Phileleftheros
Human Rights, External Security
OVERVIEW
According to the daily, the government is mulling over sending cash to the enclaved living in the Karpasia area instead of the cheques it usually sends them since they are currently unable to get to a bank due to the restrictive measures in place after 13 coronavirus cases have been detected in that area.
The measures affect around 300 enclaved GCs, the daily reports.
Earlier in the week pharmaceuticals and baby formula were sent to the enclaved through the UN, but it still remains unknown whether permission will be given for the transfer of foodstuff to them.
As regards the monthly allowance for March and April, the government is thinking of sending them cash in envelopes to be delivered door to door to them by the UN.
In the case no permission is given for the delivery of foodstuff, the government might also send them an extra allowance to purchase what they need, the paper reports.
Calls for solution for TCs who cannot cross from north for work
Haravgi
CBMs, Human Rights, Property
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the government has not provided any solutions for TCs who live in the north and work in the south and who are now unable to get to work because of the movement restrictions.
The measures the government has taken greatly affect a large number of TCs for which no plan has been announced, the daily said.
It added that after the closure of the crossings, the TCs working in businesses in the south whose operations have been suspended, will benefit from the schemes the government announced. But there is a large number of TCs whose workplaces in the south have not closed, but they cannot get to work due to the closing of the crossings. There is so far no scheme covering them, the paper reported.
Trade union PEO has brought the matter to the attention of the labour ministry asking for their inclusion to some scheme while developments are expected within the coming days, Haravgi reports.
The daily also expressed concerns that in the case the measures end on April 13 and businesses open, TCs will still not be able to get to work in the south since crossings will remain closed.
In another article, the daily also reports that small shop owners’ association POVEK, has asked the Guardian of TC properties, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris, to freeze rent for TC properties currently used as business places until the coronavirus crisis is over.
They also called for a significant drop to the rent prices in the period right after the emergency measures are over assessing that the crisis caused from the consequences of the pandemic would last much longer.
The group said that the country’s economic life has come to a halt, greatly affecting the living standards of the people, while shop owners are very concerned over the survival of their businesses.
Coronavirus infections through contacts on the rise, Paphos & Aradippou are hotspots, study says
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The main issue in all papers is the coronavirus pandemic and a study carried out by the health ministry’s epidemiological monitoring unit on the situation so far.
The dailies report that 36 new coronavirus cases were announced on Thursday, and one new death, bringing the total to 356 cases and 10 deaths.
According to the papers, the government also announced that residents of Paphos and Aradippou are expected to take coronavirus tests due to the increased cases registered in these two areas.
According to epidemiological data released by the health ministry on Thursday, 15 per cent, or 39, of the 267 Covid-19 cases detected in Cyprus by March 31 were reported in Aradippou, Larnaca, making the municipality one of two hotspots, along with Paphos.
Until March 31 the mortality rate associated with Covid-19 in Cyprus stood at three per cent.
A total of 7,397 tests had been performed (844.5 per 100,000 population). Of those tested, 267 – or 3.6 per cent – were found positive. In total, 30 per cent, or 81 patients received hospital care, and 29 patients or 36 per cent were discharged.
The median age of cases is 48.5 years. By age groups, cases included 11 children and adolescents aged 0-17 years-old, 175 adults aged 18-59 years, and 78 people aged 60 years or older.
Fourteen cases were admitted to ICU. The median age of patients admitted to ICU was 68 years.
In total, 28 per cent, had a history of travel or residence abroad during the 14 days prior to symptom onset (imported). These cases have a direct link to the UK and Greece, mainly.
Locally acquired infections — index cases and close-contacts of confirmed cases – accounted for 72 per cent (or 183) of the cases; 20 per cent, or 37, were related to Paphos general hospital.
Of the 267 laboratory-confirmed Covid-19-cases, clinical information is available for 91 per cent, 242, of which 13 per cent, or 32, reported no symptoms, and 87 per cent, 210, reported at least one symptom.
The most-commonly reported symptom was coughing, in 52 per cent of cases; then fever in 50 per cent of cases; muscle pain, 31 per cent of cases; and sore throat in 28 per cent of cases. Other reported symptoms included shortness of breath, diarrhea, and headache.
The median time between symptoms onset and date of sampling was four days, according to the report.
The findings also showed that 25 per cent of all cases, or 67 people, were health workers; 15 were physicians, 35 nurses, 11 of other occupations, and six auxiliary staff. The majority, 34, were in Paphos, mostly linked to the town’s general hospital.
By location, 77 cases had been reported in the district of Nicosia, 75 in Larnaca, 61 in Paphos, 30 in Limassol, 16 in Famagusta two in the British bases, and one in a traveler from Germany.
Alithia, in a comment quotes Haber Kibris that reported that 20 GCs living in London have died so far from coronavirus. The paper asks why the GC side did not know of these deaths and had to learn about it from TC press.
“Doesn’t Cyprus have a diplomatic mission in London? Do they think we are not interested or that we have no family, friends?” the paper asked.
The papers also report that two Cypriot students studying abroad and seeking repatriation have appealed to the courts to grant them an order allowing their return.
The students are challenging whether the government has acted within the parameters of the constitution, and are asking for an interim order which would grant them the right to return home.
Attorney General Costas Clerides said every citizen has the right to exercise their legal rights at the courts but that the government has the right and obligation to defend the necessity and legality of the painful measures taken in the interest of the public good.
Politis reports that a man who works as a rubbish collector has reported police violence.
The man said he was on his way to work when he was stopped by the police as part of checks concerning the restriction on movement currently in place. He said he had the necessary documents granting him permission to be outside.
His lawyer said that because he had parked his car further down the road in order to walk to the garbage truck, he was brutally beaten, arrested, humiliated and charged. The daily said they have a video of the incident taken by another person showing three officers holding the man down and handcuffing him.
Politis also reports that MPs said they have received many complaints over police behaviour lately and have already conveyed them to the justice minister.